I know !! But I’m really going to do it this time. It’s a great bass. But I do prefer my StingRays.Again? This has to be the third or fourth time.
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Those look like Delano’s. I found them to be especially shrill and instead of replacing the preamp as suggested (and demonstrated) by @_Obra_ I put on some of the Gibson flatwounds and it’s fantastic
Delano pickups work well with flatwounds.
Those are the standard pickups. I own two VS4s (one active, one passive) and I replaced those pickups in both with Sandberg's Black Label pickups, which improved the sound for my taste. I found them to be more rounded and less shrill. Also more subtly, the tone was just warmer and more organic, if that makes sense. I should note that I pay loud post-punk with a pick, if that matters. I alternate between the usual plastic-y picks and felt, just mentioning to give you a frame of reference.
Alright after having this bass for a few days thought I would give my initial thoughts on this bass.
Context on my preferences and the basses that I have had in the past includes Gibson Thunderbirds, Sadowsky's, Dingwall ABHSII, Rickenbackers, Fender precisions, Warmoth build, Fender AM Dlx Jazz, Greco Tbirds, MusicMan Stingray 5 (the only one I still have other than the Sandberg and my first ever squire)
As you can see I enjoy the old school and as new school as they can get.
When I got the bass home I was patient, removed the original strings from 2016, cleaned the bass up and strung it with some DR Fat Beams. Never used these strings before, generally I stick with Nickel roundwounds Daddario XL's or NYXL's or I will use flats (currently not in a band so dno if ill test this with chromes). But from the video's I saw of Sandbergs its all ZING with huge low end that I wanted to try and this may be the string.
They're definitely different to what I am used to but I have the action on this bass lower than any other bass I have ever had, and it actually sings. It doesn't bottom out when I dig in, still has some fret detail when I play light. Fingers, pick, slap, thumb. The action is just superb, I haven't ever really experienced a bass feel this way, and that alone has made me a huge fan.
The actual neck shape itself to me feels really good. I have big hands, but I find necks that are too wide to become fatiguing. I like necks that are deep and narrow, and this bass is right on the money. Much like how my Stingray5's neck isnt super wide and I can play it for hours. The Frets on this bass are perfection, nuff said.
The body shape is very ergonomic and I find it more comfortable than Fender bodies.
The electronics: This was the biggest adjustment and I am still learning them. Such little post processing is needed. I play with studio headphones on, through a DAW atm while I look at building a fearful cab and finding the right head. And you hear EVERYTHING. The 2 band pre-amp commands respect and rewards restraint. A little treble boost and you are cutting, zinging and hear all the details. When playing some Enter Sandman grinding bass with a pick it sounds unreal. And the bass boost (I never cut) is just so nice and full. The different pickups sound good to me, I adjusted the height and found that the higher they get, the warmer and more full they sound. While they were low I found the a little sterile and shrill. The reverse P sounds great, the rear MM pickup is a flavor im not used to in that position. So I like to add that in blend wise to taste. Flipping into passive is also very impressive, the bass volume doesn't drop, it still has a nice big full sound. I love having it in passive, and rolling the tone all the way off.
So far this bass is one of the best basses I have ever owned and played. I am eager to continue to learn it more. Try other strings.
I am open to string suggestions when it comes to rounds. I don't like too floppy strings. These Fat Beams feel nice, sounds really good too. Interested to see how they wear in. Might eventually go back to ol faithful Daddario XL's because I can get a set of 2 for the price of one set of DR's.
Attached is a photo of Mark from JET who received my old Tbird today and is using it for their show tonight in Adelaide, Australia.
Context on my preferences and the basses that I have had in the past includes Gibson Thunderbirds, Sadowsky's, Dingwall ABHSII, Rickenbackers, Fender precisions, Warmoth build, Fender AM Dlx Jazz, Greco Tbirds, MusicMan Stingray 5 (the only one I still have other than the Sandberg and my first ever squire)
As you can see I enjoy the old school and as new school as they can get.
When I got the bass home I was patient, removed the original strings from 2016, cleaned the bass up and strung it with some DR Fat Beams. Never used these strings before, generally I stick with Nickel roundwounds Daddario XL's or NYXL's or I will use flats (currently not in a band so dno if ill test this with chromes). But from the video's I saw of Sandbergs its all ZING with huge low end that I wanted to try and this may be the string.
They're definitely different to what I am used to but I have the action on this bass lower than any other bass I have ever had, and it actually sings. It doesn't bottom out when I dig in, still has some fret detail when I play light. Fingers, pick, slap, thumb. The action is just superb, I haven't ever really experienced a bass feel this way, and that alone has made me a huge fan.
The actual neck shape itself to me feels really good. I have big hands, but I find necks that are too wide to become fatiguing. I like necks that are deep and narrow, and this bass is right on the money. Much like how my Stingray5's neck isnt super wide and I can play it for hours. The Frets on this bass are perfection, nuff said.
The body shape is very ergonomic and I find it more comfortable than Fender bodies.
The electronics: This was the biggest adjustment and I am still learning them. Such little post processing is needed. I play with studio headphones on, through a DAW atm while I look at building a fearful cab and finding the right head. And you hear EVERYTHING. The 2 band pre-amp commands respect and rewards restraint. A little treble boost and you are cutting, zinging and hear all the details. When playing some Enter Sandman grinding bass with a pick it sounds unreal. And the bass boost (I never cut) is just so nice and full. The different pickups sound good to me, I adjusted the height and found that the higher they get, the warmer and more full they sound. While they were low I found the a little sterile and shrill. The reverse P sounds great, the rear MM pickup is a flavor im not used to in that position. So I like to add that in blend wise to taste. Flipping into passive is also very impressive, the bass volume doesn't drop, it still has a nice big full sound. I love having it in passive, and rolling the tone all the way off.
So far this bass is one of the best basses I have ever owned and played. I am eager to continue to learn it more. Try other strings.
I am open to string suggestions when it comes to rounds. I don't like too floppy strings. These Fat Beams feel nice, sounds really good too. Interested to see how they wear in. Might eventually go back to ol faithful Daddario XL's because I can get a set of 2 for the price of one set of DR's.
Attached is a photo of Mark from JET who received my old Tbird today and is using it for their show tonight in Adelaide, Australia.
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Awesome, good to hear that you are enjoying it. Nice write up, thanks.
I recently bought a (new) California VM4 and loving it too. Great tones & joy to play.
Just can't decide what other strings to try out..... Don't want flatwounds, like a bit of 'zing'/bite but not excessive as plenty of available treble with tone knob.
I have been really liking Ernie ball cobalt rounds on my VM5. I have also used XLs, which are fine, but the cobalts have a little extra oomph.
Hope he didn't regret the trade, look at the comment in the setlist for the opening tune...
Jet Setlist at Adelaide Oval 2, Adelaide
Maybe you would give Sadowsky Blue Label steels a try… They sound not too harsh and feel smooth.
Congrats Mikael, she's a beauty. I've found nickel plated Elixirs really sing on my TM5, VM5 and passive TSBS (basically a TT4). I went from XLs and NYXLs to these: they have a fair bit less zing and finger noise, and last much longer. Give them a week to settle in.
Hope he didn't regret the trade, look at the comment in the setlist for the opening tune...
Jet Setlist at Adelaide Oval 2, Adelaide
I'd love to hear the story behind this
Oh no!Hope he didn't regret the trade, look at the comment in the setlist for the opening tune...
Jet Setlist at Adelaide Oval 2, Adelaide
Just messaged him to see what happened.
Update! Tbird had a solder issue. Bass performed and sounded great in sound check and rehearsal. Things happen. He is stoked with it
Things do indeed happen.
It is good that you are both pleased with the trade.
As for strings, I default to DR's Lo-Riders.
My Sandberg VS has a set of 50-110s tuned to D, and my G&L SB-1 has a 45-105 nickel set in E.
To me they're worth the price difference, both in finger feel and in their consistent tone.
I've yet to try TI's rounds, bot their flats live up to the hype (especially once allowed to settle in), so that's an earlier recommendation that my intuition tells me you won't regret giving a go.
I might do some research into them.
It is always a journey matching the right string to the right bass. Fat Beams are starting to settle but they’ll need another weak. I’ve noticed a dead spot on the 5th fret on the G string.
Makes me again think of the XL’s, never had issues, they are good tension and affordable.
First, congrats. I've become a Sandberg fan myself. My Ken Taylor signature almost plays itself. I tried some nickels on it and EB Cobalt Flats, but am back with Sandberg strings, though I'm trying to score some .045's to replace the .040's that come with the 5 string set.
A string set you might try are the Ernie Ball (regular) Slinkys. They're cheap and surprisingly good. They have a nice crisp sound and a firm feel. I had NYXL's on my Ibby BTB675 and D'Addarios on my former Ibby 206B. But because they were my "2nd and 3rd tier" basses I went cheap. But the Slinkys surprised me- a lot. The NYXL's were comfortable, but the sound was "meh" comparted to the Slinkys.
But you know what you might try are the Sandberg strings. They are bright and feel good and sound as SS strings do. I have to get them out of the Netherlands as they aren't sold in the US. But they only take 10-14 days to get here. Also DR Pure Blues and even Sunbeams are worth a try. I dunno.
Hello, I have a question concerning the California II VM 5 string. According to Sandberg the string spacing is individually adjustable from 18 to 19,5 mm.
Last Monday I ordered a VM 5er online and they offered to do a setup before they send it to me. I requested a 19 mm spacing which I prefer.
Yesterday the seller (a professional one) told me that 19 mm would be impossible, all he could adjust was 18 mm.
I still want this bass, but I like to know if its really impossible to get a 19 mm spacing?
Thanks in advance. Looking forward to be a member of this club
Last Monday I ordered a VM 5er online and they offered to do a setup before they send it to me. I requested a 19 mm spacing which I prefer.
Yesterday the seller (a professional one) told me that 19 mm would be impossible, all he could adjust was 18 mm.
I still want this bass, but I like to know if its really impossible to get a 19 mm spacing?
Thanks in advance. Looking forward to be a member of this club
Here’s my lefty TM5 set to 18mm. You can see that the saddles could easily be moved outwards to give 19mm.
I have several Sandberg Californias using the same bridge, and they are all set to 19mm. As you can see in pine weasel's excellent pic above, there's heaps of room to move.
I have tried over 30 types of rounds with this bass.
40-100 = The best gauge (and stock) for this bass.
Strings:
Best:
- Roto Sound Swing Bass 40-100 Nickle - These last forever and sound great. The sound changes (in a great way) over the life of the string. As they dull, they take on a very pleasant rolling punchy sound. Great for studio work - Red yarn is ugly.
- Ernie Ball Hyper Slinkys 40-100 Nickle - I have never liked these.. and WOW. They work great on this bass. They do not last very long though. Highly suggested if using for 2-4 gigs. Also they are fast and stay in tune!
- String Joy Custom Set - Nickle - Sound Fantastic. Medium Life.
Good:
- Ken Smith 45-105 (40-100 are better on the VM4)
- DR Sun Beams 40-100 - Almost in best but life is low and later life sound is mediocre.
- GHS 40-100 Nickle
- Stay In Tune - SIT - These have good notes. I have them listed as 2 song recording strings.
- DR Black Beauties (they look good though)
- DR in general (sunbeams sound great though)
- Elixir - Borderline poopy (for this bass).
- Dean Markley - Blue Steel
- NY XL (disappointing TBH)
- DR fat beams
- GHS pressure wound (great on other basses though)..This was surprising.
- ClearTone - Holy poopie these are awful strings...on any bass. They are expensive too. I tired these in Spector, Fender P, VM4. I hated them so much I wrote the company.
NOTE: I have found a really great sound for live:
PASSIVE Settings: (I like these for recording as well) adjust for song. (treble is TONE in passive)
- Volume 3/4
- Pickup Selector Just past unity toward P
- Treble / Slighly pas unity towards the neck
- Volume - 3/4 (ish)
- Pickups - Funkier just b past unity towards MM bridge or Rock / Blues Go about 20% past Unity towards P - towards full
- Treble / Tone - 1/4 towards past unity towards full
- Bass / Tone - 1/2 way past unity towards full on.
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